Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is Australia’s most populous city.

Home to the iconic Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, Sydney is a destination that is probably on the list of all travellers worldwide.

No city is crime-free; however, Sydney is relatively safe for tourists, especially in the main business areas. 

People living in Sydney enjoy the good quality of life that the city provides them. However, people living in homes built before the 1990s may be exposed to hazards if an asbestos removal in Sydney is not done in their homes. 

What is Asbestos? 

Asbestos is a common term used to refer to six types of silicate minerals composed of crystal fibres.

These mineral compounds have high heat resistance making them great components for electrical insulators and other building materials. However, each fibre crystal of an asbestos mineral is further composed of microscopic fibrils that may be released into the atmosphere when the crystals are scratched or broken down.

These released fibrils can cause health and medical complications when inhaled. 

When is Asbestos Hazardous? 

According to health.gov.au, homes built before 1990, have asbestos materials used to build them. Asbestos materials are still found in a lot of Sydney homes and buildings.

These materials are not dangerous if they are kept well maintained. However, when these materials are scratched, broken, or disturbed, the release of inhalable fibrils is very hazardous. 

Asbestos is hazardous because its fibres can enter the body via the respiratory system.

When asbestos fibrils are inhaled or ingested, they may become trapped within the mucous membranes of the throat or nose.

Fibrils within the mucous membranes can still be removed. However, when these fibrils pass deep into the respiratory system, such as the lungs, these fibrils may hinder the lungs’ proper functioning and, therefore, may cause health problems. 

Asbestos materials that easily crumble or friable are the most dangerous because they release a lot of fibrils into the air.

Asbestos becomes friable over time as they get damaged or deteriorate. When you detect that your home has friable asbestos materials, you should immediately call a company for asbestos removal in Sydney. 

Health Dangers of Asbestos.

The human body cannot break down asbestos fibres that enter it. Asbestos fibrils are not organic compounds; therefore, body enzymes, acids, and other body fluids cannot dissolve them.

Once inhaled, asbestos fibrils will stay in the lungs for good and may cause the following diseases. 

• Asbestosis. Asbestosis is a chronic non-cancerous disease of the respiratory system caused by aggravated lungs because of asbestos fibrils scarring the lung tissues. Advanced stages of asbestosis may lead to shortness of breath, which may cause cardiac failure. Asbestosis is a fatal disease with no effective treatment. People who work in building demolition or home renovation are more susceptible to this disease. 

• Lung Cancer. Although many factors can cause lung cancer such as smoking and respiratory irritations from dust, the majority of lung cancer cases and deaths are associated with asbestos exposure and inhalation. 
• Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is cancer that occurs in the membrane linings of the organs located within the body’s chest cavity. Almost all recorded cases of mesothelioma are brought about by asbestos exposure. 

If you doubt whether your home is safe from asbestos exposure, it is better to have it checked by a certified asbestos removal company in Sydney. It is better to be safe than sorry. 

Author’s Bio

Anne Davis is a freelance writer who offers to ghostwrite, copywriting, and blogging services. She works closely with B2C and B2B businesses providing digital marketing content that gains social media attention and increases their search engine visibility.